The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1887-11-23
The Birthday Celebration and How
IL Happened.


During the years from 1871 to ls15 the
town of Skowhegan was invaded by a
Lilliputian race, apparently representing
several aboriginal tribes, since they var
led in complexion from bright red to
copper color, who proceeded to billet
themselves upon different families with
out 50 much saying a. "by your leave.
They gave no explanation of their OBJ
jcet in coming or their intentions in re-
gard to the future. They were always
hungry and thirsty aud If their demands
for food and drink were not Immediately
complied with, they howled ter indsna-
ton.
The only respite came when they mule
short excursions into the Land of Nod.
Their benevolent and hosptablc enter
taners were sometimes seriously neon
venienced to find suitable food for these
bald-headed and toothess strangers.
continent called pap was the principal
diet of the tyrants, and spectators took
advantage of the situation and made
"corner" in Oatmeal, while dealers rose
on the price Of crackers and milk.
Time wore on, and a. these small people
continued to abide in the families of their
choice, they, mira5ie dietu' gradually
took on the looks and manners Of the
palefaccs aud finally the little strangers
were adopted, the family name being Civ
en- IN each case.
But while they conformed ontwardly
TO our customs, in their veins were fer
menting the hereditary instincts and pred
iudiccs which had been engeudercd by
much smoking of the pipe of peace
around the council fires.
With mysterious rites and ceremonies,
limited number organized themselves
into band, under the Indian name of
The Poonoosac's" and commenced a
series of incursions into the realm of
pocsy and Imagination.
Several literary clubs have since been
organized in Skowhegan, but the Poon
oosacs set the example. one of them
had been given the name of Mary Elise
Fellows, and it SO happened that the l4th
of the present month witnessed the ami
versary of her entrance into town. The
kind people who had given her a name
gladly seconded her proposal to celebrate
the occasion by inviting the other
members of her club TO a feast. Ac
cordingly the word was given, and at
five o'clock, the following named Misses
began to assemble Lena Wyman, Annie
Allen, Lizzie Ilussey, Hannie Page, Mag
gle Morrison, Sadie Morrison, Grace
Coburn, Lena Hill, Eolia Bray and Josie
Smith. In addition to those were in
vited Blanch Bixby, May Burrill and
Edith Hanson, not members of the club,
making the number fourteen at table.
Meanwhile several friends of MIR and
Mrs. Fellows had been notified of what
was going on and dropped in just in time
to assist in serving the feast The dainti-
ly spread table and the yonug faces around
it made charming picture. After full
Justice had been done to this part of the
entertainment the Misses returned to the
parlor, and the older people took places
at table, this process being repeated
several lines as friends continued to ar
rive, until all had been served.
| The old fashion of a birthday cake
had not been forgotten and in due time
this was produced, prettily decorated
with vines and flowers, while around it
were aced fourteen tiny candles, one
to be lighted by each Miss after she had
marched around the cake three times
without speaking and wishing rery hard -
| ., far
the cake being cut at precisely eight
o'clock, and the pieces distributed as
fast as the required ceremony was com
pleted Each piece was eagerly eXamin-
ed, since, according to the old story, the
girl who got the gold ring hidden in the
cake would be married first, the one who
got the dime would have a fortune, and
the one who was lucky enough to get the
silver thimble would remain in single
blessedness.
| This important matter settled, Mrs.
Morrison stepped into the charmed circle,
and said she would tell them true story
told her by Mrs. Fellows, whereupon she
read dainty little poem, and then pre-
scented to each of the fourteen copy of
| the same, neatly printed and tied with
| ribbons, as a souYener.
| Then the Miss who wears the name of
Fellows gave three choice selections On
the VIOLIN the last, Air for G string, by
Bach, was exqusitely rendered. The
Miss who wears the name of Bray then
read "Brier Rose" with charming effect
The birthday gifts were numerous and
beautiful. "a Floral tribute from the
| Bible," beautifully illustrated, came from
| the Poonoosac's; several vols. of choice
poems and few modest pieces of jewel
ry from friends, beside many others from
family friends, both valuable and useful.
The whole affair was success from be-
ginning to end, and will long be remem-
bered by the jolly company, both old and
young.
ONE OF THE OLD ONES.